NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A significant historical discovery has been made at The Hermitage, the estate of President Andrew Jackson, where records indicate that at least 26 enslaved individuals died between 1804 and the end of the Civil War in 1865. The exact burial site of these individuals had remained a mystery for many years.
On Wednesday, the Andrew Jackson Foundation announced they have likely located the cemetery for the enslaved people on the grounds of the former president’s plantation. An agricultural report dating back to the 1930s pointed to a specific area that remained uncultivated due to the presence of tall trees and possibly graves. The foundation suspected the burial site would lie near the center of the 1,000-acre plantation, specifically on land that was less valuable for farming. Thanks to an anonymous benefactor, they received the funding necessary to clear the area and enlist the help of archaeologist James Greene late last year.
After an extensive on-site investigation for signs of depressions and headstones, a potential site was identified. Utilizing ground-penetrating radar along with careful excavations that did not disturb any remains, the team confirmed the interment of at least 28 individuals, possibly many more, buried close to a creek, approximately 1,000 feet northwest of Jackson’s mansion.
The revelation of the cemetery is a significant moment, both exciting and somber for preservation chief Tony Guzzi, who expressed, “For me, this is going to be a reflective space. A contemplative space.” Jackson was among numerous early U.S. presidents who owned slaves, and recognizing the resting places of these individuals has become increasingly important in a historical quest to highlight the contributions of both enslaved and free individuals in shaping America.
Richard Blackett, a history professor emeritus at Vanderbilt University, observed a growing interest in the history of slavery. He noted that when he first arrived in Nashville 22 years ago, resources at The Hermitage did not acknowledge the presence of enslaved people. He remarked, “More recently, people have developed a keen interest in trying to understand the nature of enslavement, and the people who experienced it, and the people who imposed it.” He pointed out that while The Hermitage has made strides, other historic sites have been quicker to act in locating and acknowledging burial sites of enslaved individuals.
Presently, The Hermitage includes several cabin structures used by enslaved people and has gathered data from archaeological digs and historical research on individuals enslaved by Jackson. Guzzi emphasized that the cemetery represents a more personal connection to the story. “The existing cabins are a museum space, but it can be hard to get a sense of what slavery was like… This is a tangible connection that makes it more real for people,” he stated.
The cemetery features graves oriented westward and arranged in three north-south rows, yet nearly all of the headstones have sunken into the ground. Only a couple of small fragments remain visible at adjacent graves, and while ground-penetrating radar identified the remains of 28 individuals, there may be additional smaller plots for children or infants, which were challenging to confirm due to dense tree roots.
Next week, The Hermitage plans to incorporate the cemetery into a complimentary tour for visitors, although access will be restricted by a high fence. Administrative officials are deliberating on future steps, emphasizing the importance of community engagement in deciding how to memorialize this site. Jason Zajac, president and CEO of the Andrew Jackson Foundation, stated, “Going forward, our belief is that we need to have other voices help us consider what is appropriate in terms of memorialization or commemoration.” An advisory committee will consist of historians as well as descendants of some of the enslaved individuals who lived at The Hermitage.
The estate already holds a memorial dedicated to 60 enslaved individuals reburied near a church on the property after their remains were unearthed during a 2006 development initiative. These individuals included men, women, and children, ages about 1 to 45. The memorial, designed by artist Aaron Lee Benson, draws inspiration from the North Star, featuring seven oak trees arranged in the formation of the Little Dipper, which symbolizes the navigation of enslaved individuals seeking freedom in the North.
When Jackson purchased the land for The Hermitage, he brought nine enslaved people with him. At the time of his passing, he owned around 150 enslaved individuals, who managed the fields, cared for the mansion, and engaged in skilled labor like blacksmithing and carpentry. Guzzi remarked, “Besides the Jacksons, there was a large community of enslaved people here. You can’t tell the story of The Hermitage without telling their story.”
